Feosol: 23% of women experience unexplained fatigue

By Michael Johnsen

MARIETTA, Ga. — A recent survey of U.S. women conducted by Harris Interactive for Feosol Iron Supplements found that over the past 12 months, nearly a quarter of women in the United States experienced unexplained fatigue, and many of those have indicated that it negatively affected their lives in a variety of ways.

What's more, as many as 69% of these women have not spoken to a doctor about their fatigue.

"In most cases, unusual and prolonged fatigue in women can be attributed to an illness, pregnancy, excessive exercise or menstruation," stated Erin Palinski-Wade, a registered dietitian. "However, if one experiences fatigue but does not have any of these conditions, it might be a symptom of an underlying condition, such as iron-related anemia. In these cases, which must be identified through a blood work-up, I typically recommend iron supplementation, as well as some dietary changes."

According to the survey, nearly 6-out-of-10 women reported they are less motivated to be physically active. Almost half (47%) believed they had gained weight.

"Unexplained fatigue that impacts your life should never be self-diagnosed," Palinski-Wade said. "Don't be afraid to find out what's causing it. The fix might be as easy as taking a daily supplement or making changes to your diet, so women should not be afraid to investigate what is causing their fatigue."